Firies turn their hoses on NSW Parliament

About 250 stations around the state are closed in the first general strike since 1956.

Fire trucks lined up outside State Parliament after the industrial action began at 1:00pm (AEST), with crews also spraying the building with their hoses.

Firefighters say they will not respond to emergency calls.

The secretary of the Fire Brigade Employees' Union, Jim Casey, says unfortunately, the dispute may be long and bruising.

"Fifty-six years since we've had a total stoppage, so clearly it's not something that we do lightly and it's not something we do every day," he told 702 Drive host Hamish Macdonald.

The main concern was over the cover for journey travel.

"Everyone in NSW is losing that apart from the volunteer fire fighters and the police," he said.

"How long you'll received medical support, how they define seriously disabled or partially disabled.

"And really this legislation is indefensible in its entirety but really the fact that we have these gross double standards about fire fighters is the bridge too far for us.

"Fire fighting is a dangerous occupation and we get hurt at a higher rate than most other workers.

"And really, our job is to go where no one else wants to go. We're the ones who run into the building that other people are running out of. I don't think it's too much to expect some consistency from the govt in terms of how they look after the people who do that."

Firefighters met in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong this morning and voted to strike over the legislation to overhaul WorkCover.

The union expected about 250 fire stations to be shut down by the action.

At this stage the strike is expected to continue until the shift change at 6:00pm.

The State Government says Rural Fire Service volunteers have been strategically placed throughout Sydney and other centres to respond to fires.

The Government is considering the firefighters' demands and has already agreed to change other aspects of the WorkCover legislation.

The anger of firefighters has been stoked by the Government's decision to exempt police from the changes.

Firefighters say they will call off the strike if Upper House amendments pass which exempt them and ambulance officers.

Premier Barry O'Farrell and senior Cabinet ministers have been in crisis talks today to discuss the last-minute changes.

The leader of the Christian Democratic Party, Fred Nile, says he has secured agreement for several amendments, including a backdown on the Government's plan to remove cover for travel to and from work.

"The Government has agreed now that the journey claims will be included back in the legislation, and we're discussing with them regarding the fire brigade and the emergency workers," Reverend Nile said.

The bill passed the state's Lower House on Tuesday night and is still before the Upper House after a marathon debate last night.

The State Government insists Parliament will not rise for its winter break until the measures are through.

The Government says the changes are essential because WorkCover is more than $4 billion in the red.